Energy management and emissions

Schaeffler supports the goal of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to limit global warming to below 2° and 1.5° Celsius, compared to the pre-industrial era. The company contributes to achieving this objective by making the most efficient use of energy used for development and production.

More efficiency through data-based management

The company-wide measurement and management of energy consumption forms the basis to this end. Therefore, Schaeffler has been gradually introducing an energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001 as part of “Energy, Environment, Health and Safety” (EnEHS) management since 2013. In 2018, the coverage rate¹⁾ of this system reached 85.8% (prior year: 85.2%). Internal EnEHS specialists and auditors monitor the effectiveness of the efficiency measures using a standardized global energy data management system.

In 2018, the Schaeffler Group’s absolute CO₂ emissions^2) 3) (Scope 1 and Scope 2 categories) increased by 3.7% compared to the previous year from 1,409,388 to 1,461,790 tons of CO₂. The development of the absolute CO₂ emissions corresponds to the growth of the company. However, Schaeffler will uncouple the increase in CO₂ emissions from growth in the future. In addition, the company is expanding its energy efficiency measures and is focusing on more energy-efficient alternatives.

In the course of the reorganization of the Sustainability department, Schaeffler has been working intensively since the beginning of 2019 to set corresponding new reduction targets.

You can find more about the new organization under Strategy and sustainability management.

The climate and environmental targets reported last year have been withdrawn – with the exception of the waste management target.

See Material and resource management.

The company’s climate protection activities will be accelerated using an improved data basis. These ambitions also relate to energy consumption and emissions that arise beyond its own plants and vehicles due to Schaeffler’s activities.

Measures for increasing energy efficiency

Schaeffler already uses a wide range of different efficiency technologies: They range from energy-saving LED lighting for production lines, business premises, and open spaces to modern cogeneration plants that combine power, heating, and cooling and efficient refrigeration technology in administrative, workshop, and storage areas to buffer storage that enable waste heat and cooling to be used later on. As part of the global, internal “Energy, Environment, Health and Safety” (EnEHS) conference in 2018, possible pilot sites were assessed:

At these sites, measures such as these will be combined to further reduce Schaeffler’s greenhouse gas emissions. The selection subsequently fell to three pilot sites in Brazil, France, and Spain. About 300 experts in the areas of EnEHS and maintenance from all regions attended the conference. To ensure a consistent focus on environmental and energy management, Schaeffler organizes these conferences every three to five years. In addition, regional conferences are held at more frequent intervals.

At the Kitzingen logistics location, a photovoltaic system with a standard output of 750 kWp was put into operation in 2018. Against the background of the current electricity prices and the expected performance of the plants, it is expected that the acquisition costs will be amortized within seven years. Another PV system with a comparable capacity was installed at the Pune, India site.

Using employee knowledge for climate protection and energy efficiency

Schaeffler also focuses on the personal commitment of its employees when it comes to climate protection. Employees are regularly made aware of the topic by energy and environmental officers. There are tips to save energy where appropriate at the production facilities. Using the sleep mode consistently at times when the respective machines are not needed alone reduces energy consumption by 5 to 30%.

With the additional qualification as an Energy Scout, offered Germany-wide, the company is also introducing its apprentices – as the specialists of tomorrow – to the issue of energy efficiency.

There are various offers at the locations to promote knowledge exchange and discussion on the topics of energy efficiency and climate protection. One example is the Energy Day at the Schweinfurt location, which took place for the second time in January 2018. With expert interviews and short presentations, the employees at this location were informed about the challenges of climate change. At experiment stations, they had the opportunity to understand physical connections. In addition, the participants discussed the operational energy savings potential and the potential of electromobility in detail.

At various Schaeffler locations in 2018, events were held on the occasion of the worldwide “Earth Day”, which has been regularly celebrated on April 22 since 1970. In Singapore, the lights in all offices were switched off for one hour to point out the need for climate protection. In addition, the headquarters in Herzogenaurach organized two biodiversity project days for nearly 500 elementary school students in grades two, three, and four. During the project days, the students learned about the basics of keeping honey bees and were able to create a flower strip under expert guidance.

1) Relating to employees.

2) The calculation of greenhouse gas emissions is based on the emission factors of the VDA (2017) and the Probas database of the German Federal Environmental Agency. Sources of emissions covered: Scope 1 (natural gas, fuel oil, propane) and Scope 2 (electricity, district heating).

3) Total of Scope 1 and Scope 2 (location based).